Paris, Tenn. – Henry County Medical Center received confirmation of its first known positive
COVID-19 patient in Henry County. The patient’s collection was at Henry County Medical
Center on March 19 and sent to LabCorp.
While awaiting results, the patient quarantined at home. The patient is still at home and is
reportedly doing fine. This confirmed case is not yet documented on the TN Department of
Health’s website, but should appear soon.
Friday, HCMC reported that they are currently treating a positive COVID-19 patient from
another county in our facility. The patient is serious, but stable at this time.
“We at HCMC are continuously updating processes and procedures as released by the CDC and
State Health Department, with respect to COVID-19,” said Lisa Casteel, HCMC CEO. “We
instituted outside testing where you can remain in your vehicle and we have prepared to receive
you inside our facility should you need us. As this virus moves through our country, we
encourage social distancing, hand hygiene, and self-quarantine if necessary. Our prayers are over
the entire community during this time.”
HCMC is dedicated to providing truthful, transparent information and report information to
necessary sources as required by law, she said.
To date, HCMC has collected 76 test samples that have been sent to commercial and state labs
for testing. This is only the test that HCMC has done with inpatients, through the Emergency
Room, or through our drive through located outside the Emergency Department. This does not
include any tests collected at other facilities, provider offices, or the health department, just those
completed at HCMC.
Again, if you believe you meet the criteria for the coronavirus including having the symptoms,
traveling outside the United States or in the domestic hot spots associated with COVID – 19, or
being in contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, please call your primary
care provider to arrange for medical evaluation and testing. If you present to our Emergency
Department without a provider order for testing, you will be registered as an ER patient and be
treated and charged as an ER patient, as well as masked and isolated. If you have an order for
testing from your provider, you will be instructed to park in the ER parking lot and a clinical
staff member will come out and do the testing through our outpatient lab services.
How you can help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses such as Coronavirus:
Stay home when you are sick.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then discard in a trash.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water
are not available.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
HCMC is making every effort to educate and inform the public on ways to remain healthy
through our website and our social media outlets, including specifically rigorous and frequent
hand washing. Please check back often for updates including a section dedicated to COVID-19.
For additional information, watch a video from our Community Pop Up event on coronavirus
here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-iA5IPc4G8&t=3s
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your health care provider. To learn more,
go to our website at www.hcmc-tn.org or go to the CDC website at
www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/index.html